Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story

It seems that it's much easier to get films about this subject in the US than here in Europe but surprisingly enough I managed to get the film (although with no subtitles..).

The film, which is based on a true story, is scary in everso many ways. One can wonder what kind of army system the US has, and condones, since such a story is possible. I mean, the most frightning is that it's a real story about an immensely skillful woman who've served the army for everso long and just for the fact that she is honest telling that she is a lesbian she is not only investigated in all possible way but also fired in the most humiliating way being placed in front of the military court having to defend her feelings!!

If this is not utterly grotesque then nothing is! The film also shows what a bureauctic system the US army seems to have and it's even shown as "normal". Think having to feel ashamed because of ones feelings; so badly that if effected her career and indeed her honour. A woman who'd done everything for her country, a well-respected woman by her peers and then just because of the fact that she shows out to be a lesbian everything is destroyed.

Glenn Close plays the role really convincing as she always does and applauses to her for "daring" to play such a role which definately isn't according to the taste of many Americans.

I have met Grethe Cammermeyer, she has ridden in my car, and she has teased me. This movie does not bring to the viewer the depth of passion that she brings to her fight for Civil Rights. I think those that watch it can learn a lot about the fight that many people go through to feel comfortable in their lives. Well worth watching.

This movie is an inspiration to all those who are afraid of standing up for who they are because they are afraid it might hurt their careers.

The only reason I gave this movie 9 instead of 10 points is that it was a little too careful not to shock the audience. When Close and Davis finally do kiss (which I was afraid they would not even do, given the fact that American filmmakers tend to depict lesbians as cousins rather than lovers), they miss each other's lips by at least an inch. But that is really my one and only objection to this wonderful and, again, inspiring movie.

My partner and I have been watching a lot of these true movies lately, and this is a real gem. It illustrates how society was (and in some parts of the world still is) struggling with true tolerance towards all that is different and doesn't fit into a neat traditional box. The actors are all very convincing, and unless you are of the narrow-minded, intolerant persuasion, you will be rooting for Glenn Close's character throughout! It is beautifully shot, and not overly sentimental, yet very moving. With the current fuss about the Olympics in Russia, this film seems to be timeless and relevant even all those years later. Maybe some societies still need to catch up. If you get a chance to watch this, do!

This TV movie co-produced by Barbra Streisand gained controversy because of a kiss between Glenn Close and Judy Davis. It's hard to know why since it's not the first representation of lesbianism on TV and the kiss itself looks pretty strained.

Director Jeff Bleckner presents Close as a real life Washington National Guard nurse who is discharged from the Army for `immoral conduct' after revealing her sexual orientation, although she argues that her relationship doesn't incorporate `conduct'. What we see is a lot of intense eye contact between Close and Davis as her artist girlfriend and a fair share of hugging, though Close tends to hug practically everyone she meets. Davis is presented as the ideal femme partner. She's supportive, she says all the right things, the family likes her and she is funny, particularly when she is outed `on prime time'.

The script by Alison Cross is tight and intelligent, thankfully focusing more on relationships than Cammermeyer's trial, and Bleckner allows the two actors to create a subtle interplay. Close has fun with the butch army stereotype and is moving when she confesses to her sons, her tears bursting forth.